Situational awareness and electrical safety

Being aware of the work situation around you is necessary to efficiently and safely perform any work, but it is especially crucial when there is potential for serious injury, as with electrical work. This paper will outline a two-fold approach to improving the overall situational awareness of employees performing electrical work by: 1) supervision's preparatory engagement of employees in work planning and job awareness; and 2) what each of us can do to develop and maintain an optimal level of awareness while working in ever changing environments. The use of electrical-specific case histories, where the employees were unaware of the potential outcomes as the situation around them changed, contributed to meaningful discussions.